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Swartz: Success Could Cost Seahawks’ Top Assistants

(1090 The Fan) – When you win other teams either want to steal your ideas or your best people.

The Seattle Seahawks playoff run has two of Pete Carroll’s top assistants in big demand by the plethora of NFL teams which fired their head coaches.

Hawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley had a second interview with the Philadelphia Eagles, and reportedly will meet with Jacksonville. If Bradley were entered in the Miss America pageant, he would win the interview competition hands down. His optimistic energy is real and infectious, as pointed out this week by Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman.

“He’s a player’s coach, a coach we would not like to lose,” said Sherman rather emphatically. “We could be losing by 20 points like last week and he keeps us into it, he keeps us up. That’s why he’s getting all these heading coaching jobs everyone is offering him, because he’s a great coach.”

If Bradley is hired by another team he will likely take his long-time friend and Seahawks defensive line coach Todd Wash with him. While some would consider this a huge blow to Seattle’s defensive unit, remember it is Pete Carroll’s defensive system. He should have no trouble finding a similar effervescent, young assistant to run practices and motivate the players.

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is also in demand after his success in utilizing the talents of rookie quarterback Russell Wilson. Jacksonville and Chicago are keenly interested in Bevell as a head coach. The Bears might wait until after the Falcons season is over to hire Atlanta assistant Dirk Koetter.

Bevell’s departure would be a major hit to the Seahawks if it weren’t for assistant head coach Tom Cable. The Snohomish, Washington native gets huge credit for blending a young offensive line to zone block for Marshawn Lynch, and pass protect for Wilson.

Seattle’s front office could also be losing a key man. Vice President of Football Administration John Idzik has reportedly interviewed with the New York Jets about their General Manager position. Idzik has been in charge of player negotiations for the Hawks.

Like any fortune 500 company, a sports franchise becomes a winner with the most talented people, from athletes to equipment managers, to scouts. Thanks to Paul Allen’s business culture, the Seahawks have and will continue to find the best and brightest to keep their success formula moving forward.